Intermaxillary fixation device and method of using same

Abstract

A medical apparatus including a bar with a first attachment loop, a second attachment and a plurality of hooks, wherein the medical apparatus is an arch bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical apparatus comprising:
 a bar having a longitudinal axis; 
 a first attachment loop; 
 a first screw extending through the first attachment loop and adapted to extend into a mandibular jaw or a maxillary jaw; 
 a second attachment loop; 
 a second screw extending through the second attachment loop and adapted to extend into the mandibular jaw or maxillary jaw; and 
 a plurality of hooks, 
 wherein the medical apparatus is an arch bar having a first side extending along the longitudinal axis and a second side extending along the longitudinal axis, the first and second attachment loops being monolithically formed with the bar along the first side and the hooks having an open part that is turned toward the first side, and at least one of the hooks extending between the first attachment loop and the second attachment loop along the longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
       2. The medical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bar comprises a front surface that includes a first plane, and wherein the bar further comprises:
 a first extension that extends from the bar in a direction perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the first extension is fixed to the bar at a first end; and 
 a second extension that extends from a second end of the first extension, wherein the second extension extends in a direction parallel to the first plane, and wherein the second extension comprises the first attachment loop. 
 
     
     
       3. The medical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bar further comprises:
 a first extension between the first attachment loop and the bar; and 
 a second extension between the second attachment loop and the bar. 
 
     
     
       4. The medical apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first extension and the second extension are bendable. 
     
     
       5. The medical apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first extension and the second extension are bendable in a direction lateral to a length of the bar. 
     
     
       6. The medical apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first extension is bendable to be located adjacent to roots of a first tooth and roots of a second tooth, and wherein the second extension is bendable to be located adjacent to roots of a third tooth and a fourth tooth. 
     
     
       7. A medical apparatus comprising:
 a first attachment loop; 
 a first screw extending through the first attachment loop and adapted to extend into a mandibular jaw or a maxillary jaw; 
 a second attachment loop; 
 a second screw extending through the second attachment loop and adapted to extend into the mandibular jaw or maxillary jaw, the second attachment loop spaced apart from the first attachment loop; and 
 a plurality of hooks spaced apart from each other, 
 wherein the medical apparatus has a longitudinal axis, first and second sides extending along the longitudinal axis and is bendable to conform to the mandibular jaw or the maxillary jaw, the first and second attachment loops being disposed along the first side and monolithically formed with the medical apparatus, the hooks having an open part that is turned toward the first side, and at least one of the hooks extending between the first attachment loop and the second attachment loop along the longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
       8. The medical apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a bar that extends along a portion of a first plane; 
 a first extension that extends from the bar in a direction perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the first extension is fixed to the bar at a first end; and 
 a second extension that extends from a second end of the first extension, wherein the second extension extends in a direction parallel to the first plane, and wherein the second extension comprises the first attachment loop. 
 
     
     
       9. The medical apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of hooks are fixed to the bar. 
     
     
       10. A medical apparatus comprising:
 a first attachment loop; 
 a first screw extending through the first attachment loop and adapted to extend into a mandibular jaw or a maxillary jaw; 
 a second attachment loop spaced apart and connected to the first attachment loop; 
 a second screw extending through the second attachment loop and adapted to extend into the mandibular jaw or maxillary jaw; and 
 a plurality of hooks, 
 wherein the medical apparatus has a longitudinal axis and a first side and a second side extending along the longitudinal axis, the first and second attachment loops being disposed along the first side and monolithically formed with the medical apparatus, and the hooks having an open part that is turned toward the first side, and at least one of the hooks extending between the first attachment loop and the second attachment loop along the longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
       11. The medical apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second attachment loops are connected by a bar. 
     
     
       12. The medical apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of hooks are attached to the bar. 
     
     
       13. The medical apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first attachment loop is attached to the bar by a first extension and the second attachment loop is attached to the bar by a second extension. 
     
     
       14. The medical apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first extension and the second extension are bendable. 
     
     
       15. The medical apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a third attachment loop.